I was thinking about buying a bit with a broken mouth piece for my horse because he doesn't like any bit other then a snaffle so I'm looking at a broken mouth piece because I know a tom thumb bit is extremely harsh on a horses mouth. Is this the same thing as that.

All you need is twenty seconds of insane courage, and I promise something good will come out of it

The Reason for a tom thumb bit being so harsh is it combines the pinching of a snaffle with the leverage of a curb bit.

It was designed to be a best of both worlds type of bit and in reality is about the worst of both worlds. From most of the research ive done if you want a shanked bit its best if its not broken in just 1 place like the above and a tom thumb bit.

We have been discussing in another thread myler bits which are broken in 2 places. They are a 3 link bit and reduces pinching. You can actually get a ported bit that is 3 link that is a myler bit and so you also get the clearance of a port with the lateral movement of a broken bit. it looks cool and Im giving serious thought to purchasing one.

But I would advise staying away from tom thumbs and those designed similarly.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

The Reason for a tom thumb bit being so harsh is it combines the pinching of a snaffle with the leverage of a curb bit.

It was designed to be a best of both worlds type of bit and in reality is about the worst of both worlds. From most of the research ive done if you want a shanked bit its best if its not broken in just 1 place like the above and a tom thumb bit.

We have been discussing in another thread myler bits which are broken in 2 places. They are a 3 link bit and reduces pinching. You can actually get a ported bit that is 3 link that is a myler bit and so you also get the clearance of a port with the lateral movement of a broken bit. it looks cool and Im giving serious thought to purchasing one.

But I would advise staying away from tom thumbs and those designed similarly.

Okay, thank you! I'm also looking at one thats similar to the above but is a low port [almost not port], do you think that'd work for a horse that is picky about anything but a [french link] snaffle.

All you need is twenty seconds of insane courage, and I promise something good will come out of it

it might. a low ported bit doesn't give much tongue clearance but if he is used to a snaffle he is used to not much tongue clearance. Ive never personally used a low ported bit before but i would say if you want to transition from snaffle to a curb bit then ya gotta start somewhere. Its all about what your horse will accept or not.

I would say try it and see how your horse reacts. A low port will keep it off the roof of his mouth but like i said lack of tongue clearance. Keep in mind that your going to loose a lot of your lateral movement with most any ported bit as they will be sold. You can regain some of that lateral movement by having non solid shanks on it though.

But nothing can give you the lateral movement of your snaffle. Most ported bits are desinged with the idea of using one hand instead of 2.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

okay then id work with a transition bit. Has the horse ever used a curb bit before?

if not look for a transition bit. Most horses end up loving having a medium ported bit because of the tongue clearance and so a transition bit can help with teaching them the neck reigning in the short term.

At first a curb bit will be confusing to a horse that has never used one. So in the short term it will be necessary probably to give the neck rein cue and reinforce it with direct rein until the horse understand what your going for.

Good luck finding the right bit for your pony. Im still having trouble finding one for mine because of his sensative mouth.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I really like a "Billy Allen" mouth piece. I use it for my nearly 4 you filly. Baically it's broken mouthpiece, but it has a roller in the middle so the mouthpiece doesn't collapse on the bars as traditional single joined piece. Pick one that is loose cheek. I use these 2:
Myler low port: 89-20045- Myler 5" HBT Shank MB 04 Bit
and
Prof. Choice: Bob Avila Training Straight Roller Bit

The Myler is probably a better choice as it has shorter shanks, also the Prof. choice has more limited amount of "travel" for the mouthpiece, so it has more of solid bit feel..

Anyways in both you will still get a independent side control for flex

Don't let the price scare you off. I ordered one several years ago just to see if it would be worth having it they are nice bits for the price. Of course, nothing fancy, but they're functional and good quality. That at least gives you something to try that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I've ridden lots of horses and almost every horse I ride goes into one of these types when progressing up from the snaffle. So long as I did my early training right, I've never had a problem with a horse not liking at least one of them.

Always remember that feeling of looking at a big, open country over the ears of a good horse, seeing a new trail unwind ahead of you, and that ever-spectacular view from the top of the ridge!!! Follow my training blog: http://robertsontraining.blogspot.com/

The swept back cheeks will allow the horse a little more warning when you pick up the reins. I've ridden many horses in a jointed mouthpiece with curb action and found the horses like them. It is a comfortable bit as it moves in the mouth. The Tom Thumb's or any bit with straight shanks don't any warning. The Argentine snaffle (not my term) has swept back shanks that are shorter than the one in your pic.

Yes argentine "snaffe" is great because of the swept back shanks :) Since your horse likes single joined mouthpiece, then that one would be nice to try out.. My filly hates snaffles.. she gets really worked up in them and keeps chomping on the bit.. Had a full dental done earlier this year her teeth were fine, the equine dentist could not tell me why she hates single - joined bits.. and we tried many.. The Billy Allen seems to work out great for her.. So really every horse is different, you will find a bit eventually that works for your horse..

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